Welcome Dinner

SURABAYA

Surabaya, the largest city of Java Timur (East Java). 26 hours of travel and we are in Indonesia! As we leave the terminal, the equatorial humidity washes over us and our jet lagged exhaustion dissipates into excitement.

We wind our way through an hour of traffic and to the hotel lobby where we meet Nurisiani, our contact from the consulate. Within 15 minutes of arrival we are whisked away across the street to an old Dutch built restaurant with a beautifully decorated dining room.

First served is a glass of fresh young coconut juice as our host from the San Francisco Consulate, Hangirro, introduces himself and lays out the goals of our tour. We are here to learn about Jawa Timur through the lens of the coffee. We will be visiting coffee farms, processing facilities, traditional restaurants and coffee shops (Kedai Kopis), meeting government officials, spend time at the Indonesian Coffee & Cocoa Research Institute and experience two of Indonesia's most incredible natural wonders (Gunung Bromo and Kawah Ijen). And we will be doing all of this in 4 days.

The meal is served family style in small plates so everyone can share, the delicious highlights include; Satay Ayam and Satay Kambing (grilled chicken and goat skewers) Ikan Goreng (whole fried fish) and Bakwan Jagung (Sweet Corn Fritters). The food flows fresh and bountiful as we go around the table for introductions: (our group detailed from left to right below)

Trevin Miller - traveling with us from Portland, owner of Mr. Green Beans on Mississippi Ave., coffee mage, can talk at length about any aspect of the coffee process.